Brussels, 07/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - “The situation of Roma and Sinti in Italy remains a matter of serious concern - a shift in focus is needed from coercive measures such as forcible evictions and expulsions to social inclusion, anti-discrimination and combating anti-Gypsyism”, said Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Thomas Hammarberg on Wednesday 7 September, releasing the report on his visit to Italy in May of this year, during which he discussed the situation of the Roma minority and also of migrants from Northern Africa.
The commissioner is concerned about racist and xenophobic political discourse specifically against Roma and Sinti, which will have to be countered by “effective measures”. He stressed the need to promote knowledge of Roma history and culture in order to combat anti-Gypsyism.
Hammarberg noted that recent evictions of Roma and Sinti, sometimes in violation of human rights standards, have had a negative impact on the enjoyment not only of the right to housing, but also other human rights, including children's right to education. Thus, he argued: “The Italian authorities should act in accordance with international and Council of Europe standards in the field of housing and evictions, and bring the situation fully into line with the revised European Social Charter.”
Flagging up cases of anti-Roma violence, sometimes carried out by law enforcement officials, the commissioner said that “it is necessary to improve the handling of racist offences and to combat racially-motivated misconduct by the police”. He added: “In particular, the system for monitoring racist incidents and offences should be made more flexible and victim-friendly.”
He repeated his recommendation that the Italian authorities address the situation of the many stateless Roma who came to Italy from the former Yugoslavia decades ago and their descendants, who are estimated to number around 15,000 at present. He called, too, for a national strategy for the social inclusion of Roma and Sinti in Italy which would support the efforts of regional and local actors in this area.
“Increasing arrivals from Northern Africa have also exposed a dire need for Italy and Europe to do more to ensure that the rights of migrants, including asylum seekers, are respected: first and foremost when it comes to their rescue at sea, but also their reception, integration and a number of legal procedures”, the commissioner stated. He went on: “It is crucial that in all cases where migrants are in distress at sea, their rescue and safety enjoy absolute priority over all other considerations, including any lack of clarity and agreement, notably between Italy and Malta, about responsibilities for rescue.” He also urged the Italian authorities to avoid any practices which could result in migrants being sent to places where they are at risk of ill treatment or onward refoulement.
Reception conditions and access to asylum, Hammarberg contended, should also be improved, inter alia by extending the capacity of the housing schemes administered by the publicly-funded network of local authorities and non-profit organisations, SPRAR (Sistema di Protezione per richiedenti asilo e rifugiati). In all places where they are accommodated, asylum seekers should have adequate access to legal aid and psycho-social assistance, the report states.
With regard to the repatriation of Tunisian nationals through “simplified procedures”, the commissioner called on the Italian authorities to ensure that the relevant human rights safeguards, including access to procedures to challenge removal, and the prohibition of collective expulsions, are fully respected.
He recommended improving the integration of refugees and beneficiaries of international protection within Italian society, for example, by simplifying “access by refugees to Italian nationality” and speeding up “the procedure to obtain family reunification”. (O.L./transl.rt)